New Delhi [India]: During the Raisina Dialogue 2025 held in New Delhi, former NITI Aayog CEO and G20 Sherpa, Amitabh Kant, underscored the significance of building sustainable cities to drive India’s urbanisation and economic growth.
“It’s important to realise that cities are centres of growth, the centres of innovation. The centres of great prosperity,” Kant stated during a panel discussion titled **”Destiny or Destination: Culture, Connectivity, and Tourism.”_
Kant explained that as 500 million people are expected to urbanise in India over the next five decades, the challenge will be to create “two Americas” in that timeframe. He further highlighted the need to build a new Chicago every five years to accommodate this growth.
He pointed out the economic power of cities by citing examples:
“The GDP of Mumbai today is more than the GDP of 18 Indian states, and the GDP of one city in UP — Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida and Greater Noida) — is 12 times more than Kanpur, the second biggest city in UP.”
Sustainability and Climate Impact
Mohamed Nasheed, former President of the Maldives and Secretary-General of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (V20), stressed the need for sustainable development.
“It’s not just the little Maldives that is being impacted by climate change, it’s everyone. What happens to the Maldives happens twice in size in bigger countries,” Nasheed warned, emphasizing that environmental care is vital for global prosperity.
Global Trade and Cultural Ties
James Lawless, Ireland’s Minister for Further and Higher Education, highlighted the EU’s resilience in global trade despite potential US tariff concerns.
“I don’t need to drink American bourbon because I can drink French wine, German beer, Swedish vodka, and my favourite Indian gin,” Lawless quipped, adding that the European Union’s extensive trade agreements with 70 countries provide diverse options without tariffs.
Meanwhile, Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, highlighted the enduring cultural and economic ties between India and the UAE.
“Before the UAE Dirham, we used the rupee. You guys flavoured our food with your spices. I can’t imagine a dish without those yummy spices,” she remarked.
She also praised India’s strong presence in the UAE:
“The Indian community is the largest in the UAE, which we cherish. We’re offering talent visas and golden visas to encourage young talent to thrive here.”
The discussion collectively emphasized the need for sustainable development, cultural exchange, and strategic trade partnerships to ensure global prosperity.